The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) has announced an amendment to the Hurricane Ida Action Plan, which is now open for public comment. The proposed change aims to increase the maximum assistance available to homeowners through the Hurricane Ida Blue Acres Program. This program allows homeowners affected by Hurricane Ida or those at risk of flooding to sell their properties voluntarily to the state. These properties are then converted into natural flood storage areas, parks, and community open spaces.
The amendment suggests raising the maximum award amount from $461,375 to $706,748. This new cap includes both the purchase price at fair market value and additional incentive funds for acquiring replacement housing in less flood-prone areas.
Public comments on this amendment can be submitted until March 28, 2024. The same proposal is also being considered for the Superstorm Sandy Action Plan since some recovery funds from Sandy are allocated for use in the Hurricane Ida Blue Acres Program. DCA will review all feedback before forwarding the amendment to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for approval.
During its implementation over the past year, it became evident that the current maximum award was insufficient due to rising property prices in northern New Jersey counties affected by Ida flooding. The increased cap is intended to facilitate property buyouts in these high-cost areas.
Despite changes in award limits, priority will remain with low- to moderate-income households under this program. Award amounts will reflect actual market rates based on real estate appraisals and vary according to location-specific factors such as housing incentives and county characteristics.
Details about Amendment #8 for Hurricane Ida and Amendment #56 for Superstorm Sandy are accessible online in English and Spanish via https://www.nj.gov/dca/ddrm/. Copies in other languages can be requested through Sylvia Johnston, LAP coordinator at Sylvia.Johnston@dca.nj.gov. Hearing-impaired individuals can use text telephone services at 1-800-852-7899.
Comments on the proposed amendments can be submitted via email or regular mail as detailed on DCA's website: https://www.nj.gov/dca/ddrm/.
DCA’s Division of Disaster Recovery and Mitigation works towards enhancing long-term resilience against severe weather events by supporting initiatives that strengthen housing, businesses, and infrastructure across New Jersey communities. It manages federal disaster recovery funds provided through HUD's Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program aimed at aiding recovery efforts post-Hurricane Ida and Superstorm Sandy.
Besides disaster management, DCA offers various programs including local government support, affordable housing development, fire safety measures, building safety protocols, community planning endeavors along with historic preservation activities.
